South African police are said to have approached the International Police Organisation to see how they can effect the warrant of arrest issued against former First Lady Grace Mugabe over her alleged assault of South African model Gabriella Engels in August last year but Zimbabwe’s deputy Minister of Information Energy Mutodi says the extradition of Grace Mugabe would be viewed as “harassment”.
Grace Mugabe was granted diplomatic immunity by the South African government allowing her to return to Zimbabwe but the High Court in July ruled that the immunity was unconstitutional.
Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa yesterday declined to answer a question about the warrant when she addressed the media on cabinet decisions yesterday saying the briefing was about what cabinet had decided and nothing else.
She was backed by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda.
Her deputy, Energy Mutodi, however, said the extradition of Grace Mugabe was out of question as this would be an embarrassment on former President Robert Mugabe, the founding father of the nation.
“We note a warrant of arrest on Grace Mugabe for a crime alle(d)gedly committed while she was on a diplomatic visit in South Africa. We make it clear that Zim will not smile on any attempt to embarrass, harrass or degrade former President Mugabe or his immediate family members,” he tweeted.
It is not clear whether this was his personal opinion or the government position.
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